*FREE* “Lessons From the Playroom” Podcasts

The Play Therapy Institute of Colorado’s “Lessons From the Playroom” Podcasts are a series of FREE, recorded podcasts designed to help therapists understand the little lessons that kids teach us that make a big difference in the play therapy process.

Our podcast host, Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, is an innovative and inspiring teacher and pioneer in play therapy. She founded and is the CEO of the Play Therapy Institute of Colorado and the creator of Synergetic Play Therapy, a cutting-edge model of play therapy that bridges the gap between neuroscience and psychology. Lisa teaches and supervises all over the world, helping transform the lives of thousands of therapists and children. With these podcasts, she’ll teach you practical ways to transform both you and the child clients you work with. These inspiring educational lessons are sure to leave you feeling more confident and excited for your next session!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #22: Do Children Remember their Traumas?

Whether we remember before the age of two or three is still misunderstood and even debated, so understanding the different types of memory helps us understand that memory does indeed exist at early ages. It helps us understand that even if the mind doesn’t remember, the body does.

Click here to download Lesson #22, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #21: Calmness in the Playroom – Ally or Adversary?

Often, it’s our natural inclination to ask children to calm down. This happens inside playrooms, classrooms, and on top of jungle gyms. But is this the best solution? Or should we focus less on the idea of calmness and more on the idea of connection?

Click here to download Lesson #21, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #20: Engaging Dads in the Play Therapy Process

Working with dads in the playroom isn’t always the same as working with moms. It takes understanding the psychology of men, learning how to communicate in a way that is meaningful, and proving that you are a partner who doesn’t know “better”, you just know “different.”

Click here to download Lesson #20, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #19: Rejection as a Gift

Rejection is something we look upon negatively, both in the playroom and in our personal lives. But, here’s a secret: behind rejection is always, always acceptance.This is one of the many reasons rejection is a boost rather than a barrier.

Click here to download Lesson #19, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #18: When a Child Doesn’t Speak in the Playroom

A child’s refusal to speak inside the playroom can leave even the most seasoned therapist flustered. But connecting with clients involves much more than words. Silence can be golden when you know what it means and how to harness it.

Click here to download Lesson #18, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #17: The Importance of Studying Different Modalities

Play therapy is an evolving field with new ideas around every corner. And each theory – new and old – has something to offer. Seeking knowledge improves your practice and benefits your clients (and yourself). As play therapists, it is important to embrace the idea that growth really never ends. The moment we believe we have figured it out is precisely the moment that we stop growing.

Click here to download Lesson #17, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #16: Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation in the Playroom

Sexual identity and sexual orientation are not discussed often enough in the field of play therapy. But embracing these topics benefits our clients. So does refraining from black and white thinking. After all, children are colorful (and so are we).

Click here to download Lesson #16, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #15: Boredom in the Playroom

Boredom in the playroom is something most therapists experience – from an unyielding yawn to counting the ticks of a slow-moving clock, we’ve all found ourselves less than enthused in one session or another. But boredom isn’t always a negative thing. Sometimes, it’s a gentle reminder that it’s time to grow.

Click here to download Lesson #15, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #14: The Four Threats of the Brain

From fear of the unknown to uncomfortable incongruence, the brain is a worry wart! It’s forever on the lookout for external and internal threats. And there are certain things that bother it more than others.

Click here to download Lesson #14, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #13: Setting Goals in the Playroom

From the boardroom to the playroom and everywhere else, setting goals is a vital part of success. But in therapy sessions, the best goals follow certain rules, rules that allow both parent and therapist to see the progress made. After all, it is seeing this progress that acts as a catalyst of encouragement, keeping the parent bought into the play therapy process and the therapist able to celebrate the changes their clients are making.

Click here to download Lesson #13, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #12: When a Child Says They’re Done in the Session

A child wanting to end a session early can rattle even the most seasoned therapist. So how do you handle the situation? In this podcast, Lisa Dion discusses how to recognize flooding, return a child to their window of tolerance, and why ending a session doesn’t need to end the relationship.

Click here to download Lesson #12, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #11: Making Games Therapeutic in Play Therapy

From Candyland’s Gum Drop Mountain to the rungs of Chutes and Ladders, games in play therapy are more than a race to the finish line. They provide us with direct insight into the minds and nervous system states of our child clients. Learn some tips on how to make games in your play therapy sessions more than about just winning and losing.

Click here to download Lesson #11, check out the Show Notes on our blog, or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #10: Helping Parents Explain to their Child Why They are Going to Play Therapy

Talking to kids about why they are going to play therapy isn’t always easy. As play therapists, we can work with parents to help them find a clear explanation that helps soothe their child’s potential anxiety and helps minimize apprehension. Not only does it teach kids what to expect, but it also helps the parent get on board.

Click here to download Lesson #10, check out the Show Notes on our blog or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #9: The Importance of Gratitude in the Playroom

It’s easy to have gratitude for the good things in our lives, but what about the challenges? In this podcast, you’ll learn how appreciation can widen your window of tolerance and open your heart. You’ll also learn that clients come into our playrooms for a reason.

Click here to download Lesson #9, check out the Show Notes on our blog or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #8: An Interview with an Eleven-Year-Old about Play Therapy

Kids say the darndest things and they also ask the best questions. Join Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S as she’s interviewed by her eleven-year-old daughter, Avery. Listen as they discuss the power of play, and hear Avery’s advice to all play therapists.

Click here to download Lesson #8, check out the Show Notes on our blog or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #7: Voicing the Toy and Observational Statements with the Brain in Mind

Voicing the toy is an important part of play therapy, but it’s the child’s voice that should prove loudest. In this podcast, Lisa offers tips on helping the child stay engaged in their process. She explains why sticking to the facts and clarity in language are essential for keeping the child in the parts of their brain that we need them in.

Click here to download Lesson #7, check out the Show Notes on our blog or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #6: Endings and Transitions

It’s hard to say goodbye, especially for children! How do you help kids transition at the end of a play session? How do you help them transition at the conclusion of therapy altogether? How do you help them face the unknown? In this podcast, Lisa addresses why parting is sweet sorrow and how to help children accept change.

Click here to download Lesson #6, check out the Show Notes on our blog or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #5: When & Why to Set Boundaries in the Playroom

Setting boundaries in the playroom can be quite the confusing process! When to set them? How to set them? Why to set them? Is it important to set them? These are just a few of the questions that Lisa will address in this podcast to help shed some light on this important topic.

Click here to download Lesson #5, check out the Show Notes on our blog or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes!

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #4: What Our Playroom Says About Us

Did you know that your playroom is a reflection of you? What you put in it and how you set it up is information to the child about where you are willing to go emotionally and what is happening in your own nervous system! Join Lisa as she discusses what your playroom says about you and explores some of the most essential toys to have in it and ideas about how to set it up.

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #3: How to Recognize Empowerment in the Playroom

Therapists are so good at identifying and working with the problem, but are we as trained to also recognize empowerment? In this podcast, Lisa addresses why it can be challenging to recognize when a child is moving into empowerment and she shares multiple strategies to help you identify when your child clients are overcoming their challenges.

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #2: How to Leave Play in the Playroom (i.e. Not Take It Home)

“Stressors can become really significant when you have numerous traumatized kids on your caseload or if you have a really complicated family or child that you’re trying to support. And unless you learn to regulate and discharge, you’ll likely take some aspect of it home with you. Over time this will create burnout and “compassion fatigue”; energetically your nervous system will become fried. It’s your job to find ways to find ways to regulate, expand your window of tolerance so that your nervous system can expand to hold the energy in the room and return to a more aligned state.”” – Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S

“Lessons from the Playroom” Episode #1: The Most Important Toy

“Without learning about ourselves as the most important toy, we miss part of the magic in the playroom and we miss understanding how play therapy actually works. When we don’t understand and know how to work with our own internal states, we cut off access to a deeper level of intuitive knowledge available to us during the play and we miss the ability to fully connect with the child. We also increase the probability of burn out and compassion fatigue, because we aren’t taking care of the most important toy.” – Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S

Copyright 2018 Play Therapy Institute of Colorado | All Rights Reserved | Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, APT Approved Provider 09-264 | Designed By StacieVee DesignPlease note: We are a different organization than the Colorado Association for Play Therapy.